Editor's note: A version of this article will be in the May issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.
MONTEREY, Calif. (BRAIN) The Sea Otter Classic expo is dominated by performance products, as is appropriate for an event that features high-level competitions in several cycling disciplines.
But the expo increasingly is an industry event and many brands attend to meet with current or potential clients or partners, be they bike brands, retailers or foreign trading companies.
Thus Retyre, a Norwegian company that makes injection-molded tires, was not concerned that the Lycra-clad mobs passing its display were largely uninterested in its offerings. The brand was after something else in Monterey, namely the attention of mass market bike brands, and makers of juvenile bikes, bike trailers, strollers and other large volume products.
Retyre claims its blackwalled tires are at least as durable as regular tires, offer the same traction and are considerably lighter. The technology could be used for performance tires and the company made a super-light road tire that it displayed at a recent event. But that's not its current aim.
"We're focusing on where the big volume is for now; We don't have the marketing to sell in the high-end market," said Jason Rico, Retyre's North American sales manager.
Retyre uses distinctly different manufacturing techniques and materials to produce its tires, which promise lightweight, durability, low cost and recyclability. The tires are made with natural "bio-based" elastomers, with no petroleum products the tires are actually non-toxic, should you accidentally eat one, Rico said. They also are fully recyclable and materials from a used or damaged tire can be made into a new tire. Standard vulcanized tires can be upcycled into lumber and other products, but can't be truly recycled back into tires, he said.
The tires' production reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 65-82% compared to standard tires, the company said.
The company has been making bike tires since 2015 and has been slowly expanding its range. It has sold tires to trailer makers including Thule, as well as bike, e-bike and stroller brands. It plans to expand into automobile and motorcycle tires eventually.
US production promised
Rico said Retyre plans to open a U.S. facility in 2026, probably in the Midwest to serve domestic bike makers. The brand's injection-molding production technique requires less space and capital investment than standard vulcanized tire factories, so a 1,000-square-meter (10,700 square-foot) facility could produce about 1.2 million tires a year.
"Our model is centered on localized production," Rico said. "By manufacturing close to where the customer needs the product, we can set up factories in just a few months with relatively low capital investment. This gives us the advantage of offering localized manufacturing for our customers, improving responsiveness and reducing lead times."
